Umaisar Gull Ganie
Srinagar, Jun 16: The Fisheries Department has released over six lakh live fish seed, primarily Common Carp, into Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake. The exercise aims to maintain the lake’s ecological balance and support the local population of licensed fishermen.
Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Wani, Joint Director, Fisheries Department, said this is a routine exercise aimed at sustaining fish populations in the lake.
“Fish numbers tend to decline due to both licensed fishing and illegal poaching. To counter this, we stock commercially viable fish like Common Carp, which not only survive but multiply, becoming a reliable source of income for licensed fishermen,” he said.
The stocking took place in the middle of Dal Lake, at Nehru Park—an area that sustains a sizeable population of fishermen.
Wani said such efforts are vital as pollution caused by modern lifestyles has severely impacted natural water bodies and aquatic ecosystems.
“If fish thrive in a water body, it means the water is biogenically alive. Our concern is to maintain that vitality through regular stocking, especially when natural regeneration alone cannot meet the demand,” the officer said.
Wani appealed to the public to refrain from illegal fishing practices. “This fish is the sole source of livelihood for licensed fishermen. It is not just about fishing; it is about survival for hundreds of families. We urge people to respect that,” he said.
In addition to stocking, Dal Lake supports self-regenerating fish populations, creating a sustainable cycle, but only if protected from exploitation, the Joint Director Fisheries said. (KNO)
